This is the theme that has been chosen for this Sunday, which marks the beginning of the annual celebration of Education Week. It is a reminder of the responsibility that rests upon parents, and the wider community, not only to teach children, but to teach them well.

The need for education is greater now than at any time in human history. The technical complexities of life confront us with many challenges that cannot be mastered by simply observing how our parents coped. The fact that the volume of knowledge is increasing so rapidly means that often the children are teaching their parents! Yet parents still have an important role in many areas.

I was looking back through family records the other day and found that my great grandfather could not read or write. He signed his Marriage Certificate with his mark, as did the two witnesses. I am the first ever in my family to have attended university. Neither of my parents went beyond third year at High School and could do nothing to help me with my studies beyond that point. So for a fair proportion of my education I was dependent on others apart from my parents.

This is not so much the case today, especially in this area where a good proportion of parents have tertiary qualifications. Yet there is still a tendency for many to think that, either because of their own lack of skills or their unwillingness to commit their time, education is purely the responsibility of paid professionals. This is very far from the Bible's teaching.

There are many injunctions in Scripture as to the role of parents in instructing their children. This relates particularly to the realm of 'wisdom', understanding how to live. This is more important than any technical knowledge which may be required for particular occupations. Children are admonished to pay careful attention to their parents instruction. For example, Proverbs 1:8,9 says: "Listen, my son to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland for your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

It is the parents who have the prime responsibility for imparting the moral values and guidelines that will equip the growing child to cope with life. Proverbs 6:22,23 says of such teachings "When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you wake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life."

When God's people first became a nation, and God brought them into their own land He gave them, through Moses, the instructions for living so that it may go well with them and they might prosper. Moses instructed them that not only were these commands to be on their hearts, they were to impress them on their children. "Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you be down and when you get up." (Deut. 6:6,7)

The history of Israel showed vividly how, when one generation failed in this responsibility the next generation forsook the Lord and His ways and ended up in a moral and spiritual mess!

This is not just an Old Testament thing. The apostle Paul said to the Christians in Ephesus that parents have a responsibility to bring up their children "in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) One of the greatest tragedies of our society today is that our young people know almost nothing of the Lord and His ways. Their moral values are more often shaped by their TV or pop idols.

The Greek philosopher Plato, six hundred years before Christ, put forward the idea that moral failure was caused by ignorance, and could be corrected by education. There are many who still hold to this view today.

Jesus, however, pointed out that moral failure comes from our corrupt heart, which can only be corrected by God. Only Jesus, through His death on the cross and through  His gift of the Holy Spirit can change our inner nature.

Our children need to be taught not only the technical skills of our age, but the ways of God that are eternal. Above all they need to be taught to know God for themselves, to know His forgiveness and love and His transforming power. And that is the primary responsibility of parents.

Teach your children well.

John Davies
9 September 2001